‘Batman’ Charged With Obstructing Michigan Police

PETOSKEY (WWJ/AP) – Police in northern Michigan say a man dressed as Batman got in the way of their investigation into a personal injury accident.

Mark Wayne Williams is charged in Emmet County with one count of resisting and obstructing police in an investigation, a two-year felony. The 33-year-old Petoskey resident is due back in court on Oct. 18.

Michigan State Police Sgt. Jeff Gorno said Williams showed up at the accident scene on Boyer Road in Bear Creek Township Saturday night “in his Batman outfit” and “wouldn’t clear the scene.” He said Williams wanted to help investigators look for a driver who left the scene of the accident.

Gorno told the Petoskey News-Review police “had a canine out there” and Williams “kept screwing up the scent.”

“We didn’t want the dog to track Batman instead of the accident scene and he was getting in the way of officers who had a job to do,” said Gorno.

Police confiscated Williams’ Batman costume and gear before booking him at the Emmet County Jail. Williams posted bond and was released.

Investigators say the incident isn’t the first time they’ve had a run-in with the “Petoskey Batman.”

Mark Wayne Williams (Booking Photo)

In May 2011, police arrested Williams after finding him dressed as Batman on the roof of a local business. Officers say Williams was carrying a baton-type striking weapon, a can of chemical irritant spray and a pair of sand-filled gloves. Although he said he never intended to harm anyone, in September 2011 Williams pleaded guilty to one count of attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer.

In the 2011 incident, Williams was sentenced to six months probation during which he was prohibited from wearing any costumes. At the time, Williams said he was inspired by others who dress as super heroes to prevent crime and reach out to the homeless.